Pages

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Iranian Nuclear Sites on Google Earth

One of the coolest intelligence agencies in the world is the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA). Among its duties are examining geospatial intelligence or GEOINT. A prime example of GEOINT is studying satellite photos of Iran's nuclear project.

Well one no longer needs a top secret clearance to do just that. Several layers for Google Earth allow one to view imagery of some of Iran's nuclear sites and see the change over time. The three best layers (that I have found so far) include a 2006 layer of some locations (KML), and a 2007 layer (KML). A third layer shows the spot of underground buildings (KML).

A way to find more locations is via the Google Earth Community. Today there are hundreds if not thousands of amateur imagery analysis freely sharing information and resources with one another. A brave new future for the public and the intelligence community lies with easily accessed and shared knowledge.

2 comments:

Jon said...

Excellent post, but I was curious as to the revelations. Have amateur (though well-informed) geographical analysts found anything awry with the Iranian nuclear program?

I don't ask this as a leading question or to pose any political agenda. I'm really quite curious.

Catholicgauze said...

Not yet (too my knowledge). But I do know of "amateur" geographers who have used satellite photos from EROS et al to independent (and sometime freelance) monitor the situation in Darfur for NGOs and the press.